Tripod with a sealed leg lock

ABSTRACT

A locking mechanism for a tripod.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/788,256 filed Jan. 4, 2019, U.S. Provisional Application No.62/826,623 filed Mar. 29, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Application No.62/864,365 filed Jun. 20, 2019.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable support apparatus forequipment, such as a tripod, with a sealed leg lock. For convenience,the term “tripod” is used as a generic identifier for a more broad classof equipment supports, which may have any number of legs, e.g. a supportwith one, two, three, four or more legs.

Tripods have been used for many years. Typically, tripods include anelevated mounting surface, upon which equipment may be secured, such asa camera, telescope, musical equipment, surveying equipment, antenna,etc. The elevated mounting surface is supported by a plurality of legs,which in the case of a tripod is typically three. Other numbers of legsmay likewise be used, such as a single leg monopod.

Tripods are designed to provide some optimal balance between a set offeatures. For example, one feature of a tripod is stability, as it isoften desirable to insure that shaking or other movement of equipmentsupported by the tripod is minimized so that, for example, blur does notoccur in an image taken by a camera supported on the tripod. Tripods areoften used portably, hence, it is often desired to minimize the weightand/or dimensions of the tripod so that it may be carried over greatdistances. Also, it is often desirable to include a locking mechanismbetween different segments of the legs that are efficient to operatewhile being suitable for use in hostile environments, such as sandyenvironments and ocean environments.

Many existing tripods are vertically collapsible with radiallyextendible legs. For example, a tripod may have three leg assemblies,with each leg assembly pivotally connected to the elevated equipmentsupport so that each leg may be pivoted outwards when in use, andinwards when not in use. Also, each leg assembly may have multipleelements that selectively slide axially relative to each other. Forexample, a multi-stage tripod may have first, second, and third segmentsfor each leg. To adjust the height of the tripod, the first and secondleg segments are slidably movable relative to each other and the secondand third leg segments are also slidably movable relative to each other.Each pair of legs may be selectively locked and unlocked at differentpositions. Tripods also may include an adjustable central column tochange the height at which equipment is supported by the tripod at afixed extension of the tripod legs. Further, the tripod legs typicallyinclude locking detents so that each of the tripod legs may bepositioned at one of a plurality of fixed angular orientations. Thetelescopic tube structure may comprises an outer tube, an inner tubeelastically sleeved by the outer tube, and a locking structure forlocking two adjacent connection tubes into an integral piece.

The telescopic tubes are usually used on tripod of photographicequipment. A foot tube of a tripod is usually in the form of atelescopic tube, in order to provide a watertight locking structure ofthe foot tube. Chinese patent CN201651699U discloses a lockingwaterproof structure of leg tubes, comprising a threaded sleeve tube, arubber sleeve, a locking part, and a locking knob component. The upperportion of the threaded sleeve tube is connected with an upper tube of atripod leg tube. A holding cavity with the opened lower end is formedbetween the lower portion of the threaded sleeve tube and a lower tubeof the tripod leg tube. The locking part is sleeved onto the lower tubeand arranged in the holding cavity. The rubber sleeve is sleeved on theupper portion of the threaded sleeve tube. The locking knob componentcomprises a lock ring sleeve and a rubber part coated outside the lockring sleeve. The lock ring sleeve is fittingly connected with thethreaded sleeve tube in a thread manner and the bottom end of the rubberpart is provided with a rubber part converging portion which is ininterference fit with the lower tube. The thickness of the rubber sleevemeets the requirement that the upper end of the inner wall of the lockring sleeve and the outer wall of the rubber sleeve are in interferencefit after the rubber sleeve is locked through rotating the locking knobcomponent. The waterproof of the lower end of the locking waterproofstructure of leg tubes is achieved by providing a rubber sleeve at thelower end face of the lock ring sleeve, the sealing between the lockingring sleeve and the lower tube is achieved by the interference fitbetween the rubber part converging portion and the lower tube, duringthe telescopic adjustment between the upper tube and the lower tube. Therubber part converging portion is easy to be abraded, therefore theinterference fit is easy to be destroyed, which eventually affects thesealing between the rubber part and the lower tube, thus, leads to apoor waterproof effect, besides, the exposed rubber part may lead to anexternal abrasion and corrosion, even can be peeled off from the endface, so that the waterproof performance of the locking structure isaffected and even lost.

Unfortunately, in dirty and/and salty water conditions fouling tends todecrease the lockup available with the locking mechanism.

The foregoing and other objectives, features, and advantages of theinvention will be more readily understood upon consideration of thefollowing detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a tripod.

FIG. 2 illustrates a pair of leg segments in an extended position.

FIG. 3 illustrates a pair of leg segments in a retracted position.

FIG. 4 illustrates a partial view of a leg segment with a leg yoke.

FIG. 5 illustrates a leg yoke and pair of sleeves.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross sectional view of the upper portion of theleg segment and leg yoke.

FIG. 7 illustrates a foot for a leg segment.

FIG. 8 illustrates the foot of FIG. 7 together with the leg segment.

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross sectional view of the foot and leg segment ofFIG. 8.

FIG. 10 illustrates a cross sectional view of the leg segment, the foot,a locking member, and the leg yoke.

FIG. 11 illustrates a cross sectional view of the locking member.

FIG. 12 illustrates a pictorial view of a knob thread of the lockingmember.

FIG. 13 illustrates a pictorial view of a knob substrate of the lockingmember.

FIG. 14 illustrates another pictorial view of the knob substrate of thelocking member.

FIG. 15 illustrates a pictorial view of a collet ramp of the lockingmember.

FIG. 16 illustrates another pictorial view of the collet ramp of thelocking member.

FIG. 17 illustrates a pictorial view of a collet lock of the lockingmember.

FIG. 18 illustrates a pictorial view of a collet lock of a pair of legsegments.

FIG. 19 illustrates a pictorial view of a collet lock of the lockingmember.

FIG. 20 illustrates a pictorial view of a circular ring of the lockingmember.

FIG. 21 illustrates a pictorial view of the collet lock and the circularring of the locking member.

FIG. 22 illustrates a cross sectional view of another locking member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary generic tripod 10. Though features arediscussed in reference to the depicted tripod, it should be understoodthat the features may be implemented in an equipment support having anynumber of legs (or leg). The tripod 10 may include a platform 12 fordetachably securing equipment to the tripod 10 using a set screw orother attachment mechanism. The tripod 10 may include a plurality oflegs 14 to support the platform 12 at an elevated position. The platform12 may be detachably mounted within an apex 18 of the tripod, which maybe a ring into which the platform 12 may be secured. Each of the legs 14may include a plurality of telescoping leg sections 14A, 14B, 14C and14D, that nest together in a retracted position by releasing anappropriate locking mechanism 16. Although the platform 12 is shown ashaving a fixed vertical position with respect to the apex 18, it isunderstood that the platform 12 may be supported by avertically-extensible column movably (e.g. slidably) engaged with theapex 18. The platform 12 may include a spirit level. Each of the legs 14preferably pivots about a respective axis proximate the apex 18. Througha selective choice of respective angles between each of the legs 14 andthe apex 18, along with a desired telescoped length of each respectiveleg, equipment attached to the tripod 10 may be supported on a widevariety of terrain.

FIG. 2 illustrates a tripod leg with two leg sections 20A, 20B that nesttogether with one another. Each of the two leg sections 20A, 20B arepreferably centrally axially aligned with one another. The end of legsection 20A may include a foot 22, having any suitable structure, suchas a crenated foot, a spike, or a rounded end. The two leg sections 20A,20B are adjustably slidably secured together by the locking mechanism24. By rotation of the locking mechanism 24 in a first direction, theleg sections 20A, 20B may be readily slid with respect to one another.By rotation of the locking mechanism 24 in a second direction, oppositethe first direction, the leg sections 20A, 20B are inhibited from beingreadily slid with respect to one another. The end of leg section 20B mayinclude a leg yoke 26 that is movably attached to the apex 18.

FIG. 2 illustrates the two leg sections 20A and 20B in a generallyextended position, and may be inhibited from being readily slid withrespect to one another using the locking mechanism 24. FIG. 3illustrates the two leg sections 20A and 20B in a generally retractedposition, and may be inhibited from being readily slid with respect toone another using the locking mechanism 24. Intermediate positions ofthe two leg sections 20A and 20B may likewise be selected and secured,as desired, using the locking mechanism 24.

Referring to FIG. 4, a partial view of FIG. 3, illustrates the two legsections 20A and 20B, together with the leg yoke 26 with the lockingmechanism 24 not shown. A pull tab 29 is illustrated, together with anappropriate spring mechanism (not shown), which is used for a ratchetingmechanism for securing the leg at different angular orientations withrespect to the apex 16.

Referring also to FIG. 5, the leg yoke 26 is illustrated together with apair of anti-twist sleeves 30A and 30B. The pair of anti-twist sleeves30A and 30B fit within the interior of the tube a substantial distance,being in face-to-face engagement with the interior surface of the tube,where the tube is bonded to the leg yoke 26. The pair of anti-twistsleeves 30A and 30B may also extend a substantial distance 32A and 32Bexternal to a lower portion 34 of the leg yoke 26.

Referring also to FIG. 6, the pair of anti-twist sleeves 30A and 30B arein face-to-face engagement with the interior of the leg section 20B. Theinterior surface of the leg yoke 26 may include a pair of spaced apartrecessed portions 38A and 38B, which act as adhesive injection spilloverchambers, that preferably extend around the entire interior periphery ina ring-like fashion, to secure the leg section 20B to the leg yoke 26.The spacing between the anti-twist sleeves, which are preferablyslightly flexible, assist in removal and insertion of the anti-twistsleeves within the leg yoke 26 and leg section 20B.

When the two leg sections 20A and 20B are extended or retracted theamount of space enclosed therein tends to increase or decrease,respectively. With the two leg sections 20A and 20 substantially sealedby the foot 22, the locking mechanism 24, and the yoke 26, it isdesirable to include an opening defined therein to permit a free-flow ofair to adjust the pressure of the air enclosed by the two leg sections20A and 20B. Referring to FIG. 5 and to FIG. 6, a slit 50 may be definedby the yoke 26 that extends from the interior of the yoke 26, which isin fluid communication with the interior of the leg sections 20A and20B, to the exterior of the yoke 26, which is in fluid communicationwith the external environment. The slit 50 may be any suitable type ofopening and/or passage defined by the yoke 26, or the yoke 26 incombination with other structures. With the slit 50 being located justbelow the apex, and hence high away from likely sources of fouling, suchas dirt and salt water, reduces the likelihood of damage to the tripodfrom such fouling. The slit 50 permits air exchange between the interiorand the exterior of the two leg sections 20A and 20B, permitting the legsections to more freely move without significant backpressure. Inaddition, while the slit 50 may be forwardly facing, it is preferablyrearwardly facing so that it directs air away from a ratcheting pull tabmechanism, which tends to include relatively high tolerance componentsthat may be rendered inoperable if occasionally sprayed with wet, saltyair, from inside the two leg sections 20A and 20B.

Referring to FIG. 7, the foot 22 may include a bowl foot 60. The bowlfoot 60 preferably has a bowl shaped exterior surface, but may includeany other type of shape, such as a spike or a ring. The foot 22 mayinclude a tee nut with 4 prongs 62, which may be detachably engaged withthe bowl foot 60. The tee nut 62 may be detachably engaged with a tripodfoot receiver 64 using a set screw 66, which may be threadably engagedwith threads in the foot 22 using the set screw 66, passing through thetee nut 62. Referring also to FIG. 8, the leg segment 20A may be engagedwith a tripod foot receiver 64 with the lower portion thereof of the legsegment 20A in face-to-face engagement with the interior surface of thetripod foot receiver 64, as shown in FIG. 9. It is noted that the foottogether with the leg segment forms a structure that is completelysealed which prohibits fluids to enter or to exit the lower portion ofthe tripod leg.

Referring to FIG. 10, a cross sectional view of a leg assembly is shownwith the foot 22, the two leg segments 20A and 20B in a generallyextended position, the locking mechanism 24, and the yoke 26. Referringto FIG. 11, an enlarged view of a portion 70 of the locking mechanism 24is illustrated. The locking mechanism 24 encircles the two leg sections20A and 20B and by rotation of a knob tread 100 (see FIG. 11) in a firstdirection, the two leg sections 20A and 20B are inhibited from slidingwith respect to one another, and by rotation of the knob tread 100 (seeFIG. 11) in a second direction opposite the first direction, the two legsections 20A and 20B are released from being inhibited from sliding withrespect to one another. Referring to FIG. 12, the knob tread 100 mayinclude a set of raised ribs 102 for a better grip by the user. Theinterior surface 104 of the knob tread 100 is preferably molded over aheavily knurled surface of an exterior surface 112. Preferably, the knobtread 100 is a flexible rubberized material.

Referring also to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the locking mechanism 24 includesa knob substrate 110. The knob substrate 110 includes the exteriorsurface 112 thereof that defines a pair of grooves 114 and 116. Theshoulders 114 and 116 serve as shutoff seals for the tread over-moldingprocess and also as axial external retainers for the tread 100 oncemolded. Also, the knob tread 100 includes a solid shoulder that is fullyrecessed within the pair of shoulders 114 and 116. The knob substrate110 may include an internal surface 118 that defines a set of threads120. The threads are engaged with threads 132 defined by a collet ramp130. The knob substrate 110 may define a back circular recess 122 thatis sized to receive a back O-ring 150 that is slightly larger in depthand/or width than the back circular recess 122.

Referring to FIG. 15, the collet ramp 130 may define the exterior set ofthreads 132 which are rotatably engaged with the threads 120 of the knobsubstrate 110. The exterior surface 134 of the collet ramp 130 defines aforward circular recess 136 that is sized to receive a forward O-ring154 that is slightly larger in depth and/or width than the forwardcircular recess 136. The forward portion 140 of the collet ramp 130preferably has a higher elevation that the rearward portion 142 of thecollet ramp 130. The surface of the forward portion 140 serves both toallow for an O-ring groove and to add structural strength in the tripodleg section sub-assembly. The surface of the rearward portion 142 ispreferably near co-radial with the forward circular recess 136, suchthat they form an inner half of seals for a pair of O-rings 150, 154,where the forward seal gets compressed from the outside diameter and therearward seal gets compressed from the inner diameter. Also, preferablythe surface of the rearward portion 142 is at substantially the sameelevation as the surface of the forward circular recess 136. The colletramp 130 may be secured to the exterior surface of the leg segment 20B,such as using an adhesive, so that the collet ramp 130 is maintained ina fixed relationship with respect to the leg segment 20B.

The forward O-ring 154, which is deformable, forms a substantiallywaterproof seal between the collet ramp 130 and the knob substrate 110thereby keeping water and other debris out of the locking mechanism 24from above and thereby the leg assembly. With a relatively lowcompression and a relatively slow reciprocating motion permits arelatively soft durometer to be used for the forward O-ring 154, andthereby results in minimal perceivable drag on the twist action of thelocking mechanism 24.

The back O-ring 150, which is deformable, forms a substantiallywaterproof seal between the collet ramp 130 and the knob substrate 110thereby keeping water and other debris out of the locking mechanism 24from below and internally, and thereby the leg assembly. With arelatively low compression and a relatively slow reciprocating motionpermits a relatively soft durometer to be used for the back O-ring 150,and thereby results in minimal perceivable drag on the twist action ofthe locking mechanism 24.

With the pair of O-rings 150 and 154, one toward the forward portion ofthe locking mechanism 24 and one toward the back portion of the lockingmechanism 24, the locking mechanism 24 forms a substantially waterproofseal between the collet ramp 130 and the knob substrate 110, even as theknob substrate 110 moves with respect to the collet ramp 130 and even asthe leg segments 20A and 20B move with respect to one another.

The combination of the collet ramp 130 and the knob substrate 110preferably define an open region 144 so that upon rotation of the knobsubstrate 110 with respect to the collet ramp 130, the knob substrate110 slides based upon the threads in a direction in line with the legsegments 20A and 20B with respect to the collet ramp 130. While the knobsubstrate 110 slides with respect to the collet ramp 130 over its rangeof motion, the forward O-ring 154 and the back O-ring 150 both maintainthe substantially waterproof seal.

Referring also to FIG. 16, the collet ramp 130 includes a sloped surface160 defined by the interior of the collet ramp 130. Referring to FIG.17, a collet lock 180 may include a set of tapered fingers 182 thatdefine a sloped surface 184. The slope of the sloped surface 184 of thetapered fingers 182 preferably substantially matches the slope of thesloped surface 160 of the collet ramp 130. Preferably, the slopedsurface is between 5-10 degrees, and more preferably between 6-7degrees, to provide for fast lock and unlock speeds, in a manner notlikely to cause the locking member 24 to become stuck in the process. Inthis manner, the sloped surfaces 160 and 184 may slide with respect toone another with a face-to-face engagement. The collet lock 180preferably includes a circular depression 186 that matches an exteriorprotrusion 188 of the knob substrate 110.

The collet lock 180 is maintained in a fixed relationship with respectto the knob substrate 110 with the circular depression 186 and theexterior protrusion 188. The collet ramp 130 is maintained in a fixedrelationship with respect to the leg segment 20B. With the rotation ofthe knob tread 100, the knob substrate 110 rotates with respect to thecollet ramp 130 and are moved axially based upon the threads in linewith the leg segments 20A and 20B which selectively increases anddecreases the pressure inhibiting movement of the leg segments 20A and20B with respect to one another.

Referring to FIG. 18, a cross sectional view of a leg assembly is shownwith the foot 22, the two leg segments 20A and 20B in a generallyretracted position, the locking mechanism 24, and the yoke 26.

Referring to FIG. 19, the collet lock 180 is illustrated, with adifferent view than the collet lock 180 illustrated in FIG. 17. Toprovide the capability of selectively keeping fluid and other particlesout of the locking mechanism 24, it is desirable to include a blockingmember, detachably engaged with the collet lock 180. Referring to FIG.20, one type of blocking member is a circular ring 200 that snaps intothe substrate 110 into the circular recess 122. Referring to FIG. 21,the circular ring 200 has an inside diameter that is slightly greaterthan the corresponding diameter of the leg segment 20A, so that it doesnot substantially rub on the exterior surface of the leg segment 20Aproviding for fast telescoping of the legs. In this manner, flowingfluid will tend to be mostly diverted away, and all but the smallestsilty particles will be totally blocked. Referring to FIG. 22, a crosssectional view of a locking mechanism 24 together with the circular ring200, is illustrated. The circular ring 200 is readily replaceable by theuser.

Another type of blocking member is a circular ring 200 that snaps intothe collet lock 180. The alternative circular ring 200 has an insidediameter that is substantially the same as the corresponding diameter ofthe leg segment 20A, so that it substantially rubs on the exteriorsurface of the leg segment 20A providing for substantially slowertelescoping of the legs due to the increased resistance. In this manner,flowing fluid will tend to be almost all diverted away, andsubstantially all including substantially all of the smallest siltyparticles, will be totally blocked. The circular ring 200 is readilyreplaceable by the user.

Another type of blocking member is a v-shaped ring 210 (see FIG. 11)that snaps into the collet lock 180. The alternative v-shaped ring 210has an inside diameter that is substantially the same as thecorresponding diameter of the leg segment 20A, so that it substantiallyrubs on the exterior surface of the leg segment 20A providing forsubstantially slower telescoping of the legs due to the increasedresistance. Moreover, the v-shaped cross-sectional tends to result in anexternally directed force against the exterior of the leg segment 20A.In this manner, flowing fluid will tend to be almost all diverted away,and substantially all including substantially all of the smallest siltyparticles, will be totally blocked. The v-shaped ring 210 is readilyreplaceable by the user.

As previously described, there are two separate seal mechanisms that maybe included, either of which may be omitted, if desired. Referring toFIG. 11, in general, the seals that include O-ring 150 and O-ring 154inhibit contaminants from reaching the threaded members 130 and 132 andalso inhibit the user from actuating the lock. The O-ring 154 istypically sufficient to substantially keep contaminants out of themechanism without the need for the additional O-ring 150 if the v-shapedring 210 inhibited all (or substantially all) contaminants from enteringthrough the vent and/or the foot receiver. The O-ring 150 may beincluded as an additional fail safe in order to inhibit the threads frombecoming fouled in the event that contamination enters through the vent,the foot receiver, or if the v-shaped ring 210 does not provide asufficient seal (as is the case when using ring 200 of FIG. 20 insteadof ring 210 of FIG. 11).

As previously described, the v-shaped ring 210 (see FIG. 11) and/or thev-shaped ring 200 (see FIG. 20) inhibit contaminants from reaching thecollet (see, FIG. 11, element 180), anti-twist twist sleeves (see, FIG.5, elements 32A and 32B), and getting stuck inside the inner tubes (see,FIG. 4, element 20A). In practice, the threads tend to limit theintrusion of contaminants from entering the tube assembly so that theO-ring 150 and the O-ring 154 may be omitted, especially if the v-shapedring 210 is included. Over time, some contamination may pass through thethreaded region but is substantially inhibited by grease included on thethreads. By including a seal mechanism, this reducing fouling of thecollect which can prevent the collet from collapsing on the tube andlocking. In addition, by including a seal mechanism, this reducesparticles from wedging between the collet and the tube, acting likelittle ball bearings thereby decreasing the locking friction. Further,by including a seal mechanism, this reduces fouling in other parts ofthe tube which may lead to trapped contaminants that leave foul odors orharden over time which inhibit full functionality.

The terms and expressions which have been employed in the foregoingspecification are used therein as terms of description and not oflimitation, and there is no intention, in the use of such terms andexpressions, of excluding equivalents of the features shown anddescribed or portions thereof, it being recognized that the scope of theinvention is defined and limited only by the claims which follow.

We claim:
 1. A support suitable for supporting a device thereoncomprising: (a) said support including at least one elongate hollow legmember at least partially supporting an apex, said apex defining asupporting surface suitable for supporting said device thereon; (b) saidat least one elongate hollow leg member including a first leg segmentand a second leg segment that are slidably movable relative to oneanother; (c) a locking mechanism selectively inhibiting said slidablymovable between said first and second leg segments, wherein said lockingmechanism is configured to provide a substantially waterproof seal toprevent liquid from reaching the junction of said first leg segment andsaid second leg segment; (d) wherein said at least one elongate hollowleg member includes a leg yoke at a terminal portion thereof; (e)wherein said yoke further comprising at least one sleeve portion that isengaged in face-to-face abutment between an exterior surface of said atleast one sleeve portion and an interior surface of said at least oneelongate hollow leg member to inhibit rotation of said yoke with respectto said at least one elongate hollow leg member; wherein said exteriorsurface of said at least one of said sleeve portion includes a pair ofspaced apart recessed portions.
 2. The support of claim 1 wherein saidlocking mechanism said selectively inhibits said slidably movable byselective rotation.
 3. The support of claim 1 wherein said at least oneelongate hollow leg member is rotatably connected to said apex, aslidable tab operationally engaged with said support to selectivelyinhibit said rotatably connected between said least one elongate hollowleg and said apex.
 4. A support suitable for supporting a device thereoncomprising: (a) said support including at least one elongate hollow legmember at least partially supporting an apex, said apex defining asupporting surface suitable for supporting said device thereon; (b) saidat least one elongate hollow leg member including a first leg segmentand a second leg segment that are slidably movable relative to oneanother; (c) a locking mechanism selectively inhibiting said slidablymovable between said first and second leg segments, wherein said lockingmechanism is configured to provide a substantially waterproof seal toprevent liquid from reaching the junction of said first leg segment andsaid second leg segment; (d) wherein said at least one elongate hollowleg member includes a leg yoke at a terminal portion thereof; (e)wherein said yoke defines a yoke opening therein that permits free-flowof air between an inside of said at least one elongate hollow leg memberand an exterior of said yoke when said first leg segment and said secondleg segment are slidably moved relative to one another thereby changingthe volume of space defined within said at least one elongate hollow legmember.
 5. The support of claim 4 wherein said at least one elongatehollow leg member is rotatably connected to said apex, a slidable taboperationally engaged with said support to selectively inhibit saidrotatably connected between said least one elongate hollow leg and saidapex, said yoke opening oriented in a direction away from said slidabletab.
 6. A support suitable for supporting a device thereon comprising:(a) said support including at least one elongate hollow leg member atleast partially supporting an apex, said apex defining a supportingsurface suitable for supporting said device thereon; (b) said at leastone elongate hollow leg member including a first leg segment and asecond leg segment that are slidably movable relative to one another;(c) a locking mechanism selectively inhibiting said slidably movablebetween said first and second leg segments, wherein said lockingmechanism is configured to provide a substantially waterproof seal toprevent liquid from reaching the junction of said first leg segment andsaid second leg segment; (d) wherein said at least one elongate hollowleg member includes a foot assembly at a terminal portion thereof, saidfoot assembly includes a foot portion that is suitable for supportingsaid support on a ground, said foot assembly includes a receiver portionengaged with a surface of said at least one elongate hollow leg member,a tee nut together with a set screw detachably engaging said footportion with said receiver portion in such a manner that when said footportion is engaged with said receiver portion water is prohibited fromentering said at least one elongate hollow leg member from a locationproximate with said foot assembly.
 7. The support of claim 1 whereinsaid locking mechanism includes a knob tread with an exterior surfacethat defines an exterior set of raised ribs and an interior surface thatis in face-to-face engagement with a knurled surface.
 8. The support ofclaim 1 wherein said locking mechanism includes a knob substrate thatincludes an exterior surface that defines a pair of grooves and aninterior surface that defines a set of knob substrate threads.
 9. Thesupport of claim 8 further comprising said locking mechanism includes acollet ramp that defines a set of collet ramp threads that are rotatablyengaged with said knob substrate threads.
 10. The support of claim 9further comprising said interior surface of said knob substrate defininga knob substrate circular recess therein, a first resiliently deformablemember maintained within said knob substrate circular recess and inpressing engagement with said collet ramp.
 11. The support of claim 9further comprising said collet ramp defining a collet ramp circularrecess therein, a second resiliently deformable member maintained withinsaid collet ramp circular recess and in pressing engagement with saidknob substrate.
 12. The support of claim 10 further comprising saidcollet ramp defining a collet ramp circular recess therein, a secondresiliently deformable member maintained within said collet rampcircular recess and in pressing engagement with said knob substrate. 13.The support of claim 11 wherein said locking mechanism is configuredsuch that said second resiliently deformable member is compressed basedupon movement from an exterior surface and said first resilientlydeformable member is compressed based upon movement from an interiorsurface.
 14. The support of claim 9 further comprising an interiorsurface of a collet lock defines a collet lock sloped surface where saidcollet lock is positioned at a location interior to said collet ramp.15. The support of claim 14 wherein said collet lock sloped surface isdefined by a plurality of sloped fingers.
 16. The support of claim 14wherein said collet lock sloped surface is substantially the same aslope of said collet ramp.
 17. The support of claim 16 wherein saidcollet lock is maintained in a fixed position with respect to said knobsubstrate, such that rotation of said knob substrate results in matchingrotation of said collet lock.
 18. The support of claim 17 furthercomprising a block member that is detachably engageable with said colletlock to inhibit fluid from reaching said junction of said first legsegment and said second leg segment.